Sailing craft



w. w. wELLs-coATEs 2,561,253

July 17, 1951 SAILING CRAFT 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Deo. 4, 1946 we//s mi wel/fc July 17, 1951 w. w. wELLs-coATEs 2,561,253

SAILING CRAFT Filed Dec. 4, 194e 1o sheets-sheet 2 Wel/S W We//-C'oofes venTor I A6 M, MMM

July 17, 1951 w. w. wELLs-coATEs 2,561,253

SAILING CRAFT l0 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 4, 1946 Wel/5 nl(werl/s-coafes` @wlw SAILING CRAFT l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 4, 1946 We//s-Coafs /rrvenTmy @www wim July 17, 195l w. vv. wELLs-coATEs 2,561,253

SAILING CRAFT l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 4, 1946 July 17, 1951 w. w. wELLs-coATEs 2,561,253

SAILING CRAFT l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 4, 1946 /nven Tor July 17, 1951 w. w. wELLs-oATEs 2,561,253

SAILING CRAFT Filed Deo. 4, 1946 l0 Sheets-Sheet 7 July l?, 1951 w. w. WELLS-@GATES 2,551,253

SAILING CRAFT Filed Deo. 4, 1946 l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 ,WWI In., v |IMI;I "Iull '1,

July 17 1951 w. w. wELLs c.oA1-Es 2,561,253

SAILING CRAFT l0 SeetsfSheet 9 Filed Dec. 4, 1946 July 17, 1951 w. w. WELLS-COATES 2,561,253

SAILING CRAFT v Filed Dec. 4, 1946 l0 SheetsSheet lO wel/.s n/. We//Sm res Patented July 17, 19*51 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAILING CRAFT Wells Wntemute Wells-Coates, London, England Application December 4, 1946, Serial No. 714,055 In Great Britain May 17, 1946 Claims. (Cl. 114-102) This invention consists in improvements in or relating tol sailing craft and has for one object to provide a rig by which much of the inefficiency of hitherto known rigs will be eliminated under the many changes of sail aspect with relation to the wind direction which must be encountered when numerous changes of course are necessary as, for example, under racing conditions.

This main object is obtained largely by improved means for controlling and maintaining rigidly the arch or curvature of the sail by adjusting means which will ensure a smooth fiow of wind over the sail ysurface with the minimum of turbulence. y

Broadly, the present invention comprises in combination, a revolving mast of aerofoil or streamline cross section and a stiff sail having a plurality of full length or substantial full length battens extending from the leech to or towards the luiT of the sail, with means to adjust the flexure of the battens in order positively to control and maintain rigidly the arch of the sail. Preferably the mast is combined with means which will close any gap which might otherwise exist between the mast and the lu of the sail. Such means may be in the form of flaps or ailerons hinged to the mast on both sides of the sail with their free edges extending aft where they will engage the sail surfaces.

As a further aid to the prevention of Waste of wind pressure and turbulences of the wind at the surface of the sail, a foot ap or flaps are preferably provided to close also any space that might otherwise occur between the foot of the sail and the deck.

The invention also includes a sail when it is stiffened by a series of parallel battens running more or less fore and aft of the sail and arranged at intervals in the height thereof. Each of such battens is, at its forward end, constructed in Y formation so that it terminates at the mast end in two divergent arms at the extremities of which are mounted rollers intended to travel in mast tracks.

The sail is intended. to be used in conjunction with a mast which is mounted so as to swivel about its general vertical axis, and the mast itself is preferably curved aft in a smooth and comparatively slight curvature, the mast tracks on which the batten rollers run, following the line of such curvature.

The mast is conveniently formed of two longitudinal members each of which provides one of the` tracks or a pair of tracks for one of the roller sets, and these two longitudinal members are braced by a connecting web. Forward of this structure the mast is furnished with an envelope of streamline section and the rearward edges of each of the longitudinal members is formed with a key-hole section slot in which are inserted correspondingly moulded portions of two plates formed of resilient material and extending substantially the full height of the mast. Each of the plates is of a width to cover well over the divergent forward edge of the sail, and the plates servejointly to close what is ordinarily a gap between the luff of the sail and the mast.

The sail cloths from which the sail is built up are formed in relatively narrow widths fastening round the battens in a manner which will hereafter be more fully described, and each width is also formed with a `Vl are to corre-v spond with divergent ends of the battens.

The fore-and-aft width of the sail is greater midway of its height than at its lower or its upper extremities. Itis convenient to employ a `telescopic boom to which the outer end of the lowermost batten in use can be connected by means of a strop. With the sail fully extended the telescopic boom will be closed up to some extent, whereas when the sail is reefed down,

/a relatively wider batteri will be the lowermost 'when the sail is fully lowered.'

The foregoing and other features of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred forms of the example read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates the side view of a mast, main sail and foresail in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l showing both sails in reefed condition;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a main sail provided with a gunter;

Figure 4 illustrates the sail shown in Figure 3 in reefed condition;

Figures 5 and 5a are together a section on the line 5-5 of Figure l but on a considerably enlarged scale;

Figure 6 is an elevation on 4an enlarged scale of the boom and lower portion ofthe mast shown in Figures 1 to 4;

Figures v12, 'f 1 3 L ;andgli. diagrammatically; ren-1.

resent variousmethods of overlapping the sail cloths;

Figure is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a method of lacing the sail cloths..together in the form illustrated in Figure 14;

Figures 16 and 17 diagrammatically represent.

in section two different methods .of.. supporting..

a roller foresail, and y Figures 18 to2() are diagrammatic representations of some essential relationships between.:-

the main sail, mast and foresail Lilgeeference numerals indicate like parts ini thefvvariou'sgi'lgures of the drawings,

The accompanyingwdrawings. illustrate a pre-.- ferr-ed rigY including all,the improvements 4coining within the scopeofthe present invention, andthesewill now .bedescribed--in detail vand for the-sakeof convenience under a number ofv detailed headings.

Mast- The mast 20fas shown clearly in the section irl-Figure 5 is of streamline cross section and maybe .constructed from any one or a combination of a number ofadiferent materials such forfinstance as Dural-sheet or low pressure lami-- nated skins with transverse formers and -vertical membersin lightyalloy,y or of ,other-*desired-l materials ofy a seaworthy nature, .the covering beingv .preferably applied .on1 the. v.stressed skin principle. a In the example illustrated. the lead-- ingedge fairing ispreferably a. hollow member:-

shaped tothe required streamline form and braced .by twolongitudinal members 2| which latter are. interconnected `and are. braced. by. an

interconnecting web. 22. The -hollow envelope of e streamline formis attachedl forward. of the lon-.- gitudinal members 2l..and its edges are received in -rebates formed in. forwardly projecting.

flanges .23 .onwthe members 72 l.

Extending rearwardly from rthe members: 2|.

are other sider flanges 24 each formed. throughout its length, with a slot 250i. key-hole section in which are inserted correspondingly moulded...

edges of two.plates- 26,formed ofresilient mate` rial. The v.plates l 26 maybe moulded from .rubbenv composition. or otherpreferred'materialhaving the necessary resilience and extend substantially ,.55 the full ,height ofthe mast. The hollow forward--` section `flangeslll` andplates 26 constitute as .a

whole a streamlined structureand the.pla tes 2B serve to close4 anygap which in the moreusual rigs in use exists betweenvthe luifof the sail and the mast. The plates `ZGalso enclose the inner ends of the sailbattens which` will be described more fully hereinafter.

As shown diagrammatically inFigures 1 to 4r the mast is stepped .on a rotary shaft 21 whichY extends below the deckand allows ,the mastftoA TheA mast however maybe stepped ,at thedeck levelbut whatever arrangement is used. .for this purrevolve freely through approximately 180..

posethe mast itself. is mounted sothat it can revolve about its longitudinal axis.

As an alternative to the iiexible plates 26 flaps..

hinged to the mast could besubstituted -andvinv whatever form they are provided they willl serve f to close any gap which might otherwise exist.be

tween the mast and the luff of the sail and will partake of the streamline form of the mast.

The mast is of a vertical cantilever design which renders unnecessary the usual rigging stays, shrouds, struts and the like which create unnecessary windage or drag and thus affect the overall eniciency of the rig. In large rigs, say with masts over 36 ft. in overall height, it may besifnecessary to introduce twol stays for shrouds leadingup to the foresail head-Sprit on the mast at the point immediately above the centre line of-rotation of the mast. In this form of rig a slightly-lighter mast section may be employed with a consequent saving in weight.

Saz'ZI-'Themain sail is a triangular sail specially/shapedas shown in Figures 1 to 4 and is suchjthatitsmaximum fore and aft dimension 'occurs intermediate the upper and lower ends of theA sailfthis shaping being clearly shown in Figure 1.

The-sail is formedffromA a number Vof separate'` sail cloths 29 of relatively narrow widths'consideredin they vertical direction vof the. sailand themedges. of Ythese sail-cloths are formedsothat the, meeting-.edges of. adjacent sail cloths can be Figures 12` to 14 ilsecured. .round battens 3U.- lustratesome forms in which these edgesgwhich extendfore and ait, canbe formed and-inter,- connected. As shown in Figure 12 each cloth. near. its .edge is .provided ywith two spaced lines of eyelets 3l such that'the ,edges will be .passed aroundopposite sides of the batten v30 .when .the twolines. of eyelets will be `inregisterwith onev anotherand the cloths arethen secured together and round the battens by lacing 32.

FigureA 13 illustratesA a modification'.v in which:

the actual edges ofthe sail cloths 29..do vnot pass.A

round Athe battens 30.?. The. edges however are. providedwith 4a line of eyelets,` 3 land. two canvas .sideQsheets 33, also .provided with lines Yof eyelets "to Vregister with thosein. the .two 4sail. cloths are attached on eitherside. ofbatten 3l)V andare laced to theedges of cloths 29.

In.-Figure -14 a further modicationis shown in whicheach-sail cloth 29 is woven with a Y sec?,

tion .orsplit .selvedge and both, limbsof .each

selvedge..,are. provided .with linesfof eyelets 3|. Thus ,the selvedge edges of one cloth may be passed. round .the batten 30.in. one. directionand.` the similar, `edges of the adjacent cloth are.

passed round the batteri on the outsideof .the

selvedgesof the `companion cloth .andthe four sets of eyelets on both sides of the batten arev then laced together.

Figurewldillustrates.one manner in which the lacing can be effected.

By constructing Va sailinthis manner. each battenis ,totally enclosed. by. the lsail. cloths at.:v

and. as... shown, in Figures l -to` 4, the battens (and the sail cloth junctions) preferably. extendfore and aftiwitha slight, downward .rake,.from.. the lufftheir longitudinal interconnections towards .the leech of the sail.Y

Although. lacing has. been described asthe... means for interconnecting the sail cloths.,bolts and nuts` .may4 be. employed passing. .through the registering sets ofv eyelets or. any other preferred form V oftclip maybe utilized. Y

It will be appreciated that the sailvas a whole.-` f

canthusbe built up Without sewing whatsoever;

and l.without.-.having.to repair or dismantle the?. whole sail. ,Y

BcttensfAs shownv iny Figures each batteri., i@

carries at its end a roller or rollers 34 and a quick release catch 35. A rope can be threaded into the space between the arms of catches 35 so as to engage roller 34 and this rope is used for producing the requisite curvature of the sail in a manner to be described later.

The battens at their forward ends are constructed in Y formation so that at the mast end each batten terminates in two divergent arms 40. At the ends of these arms are secured brackets 4l each supporting a pair of rollers 42.

Mast track- Each of the longitudinal members 2| is formed with a channel 43 which is substantially enclosed except for the opening through which the brackets 4I extend, the requisite clearance being provided between the sides of the channel openings and the brackets. In each channel 43 are two roller tracks 44 and 45 respectively, the track 45 being a V section track whereas track 44 is a plain track. The wheels 42 in each bracket are so mounted therein that one will engage a track 44 and the other a track 45 although the rollers are not necessarily in engagement with the tracks simultaneously. By providing the two tracks however it is ensured that, irrespective of the direction and pressure of the wind on the sail, a free rolling action of the rollers on the tracks is always afforded without binding.

The sail cloths are formed, in addition to any split selvedge such as that already described, with a V flare of double thickness to enclose within each of the double thicknesses one of the limbs 4l) of the associated batten.

Gamen- In Figures l and 2 the main sail is shown as being devoid of any rigid upper extension; but in Figures 3 and 4 the sail is shown as furnished with a gunter 53, and this member will be furnished with rollers as at 5| to run on the tracks 44 and 45 in a manner similar to that already described in connection with the batten rollers.

The mast is shown as smoothly and slightly curved aft from its base to its upper end and the gunter will be similarly curved.

Within the hollow forward portion of the mast rollers 52 are mounted to rotate about fixed pins, and over these rollers the main halyard 53 is guided and at its lower end is taken on to a winch 54 referred to in more detail below.

Bumm-In place of the usual single spar the boom is now of telescopic construction comprising (a) an outer sleeve-like member 60 pivotally mounted on a pin 6I supported in a two-armed bracket 62 secured to the mast near the foot thereof, and

(b) an inner extensible member 63 guided to slide longitudinally within the outer member. Such a construction is diagrammatically illustrated in section in three different forms in Figures 9 to 1l. While the actual means to guide the two parts in sliding relationship are not shown in detail it will be understood that the inner telescopic member 63, which is shown as formed in T section for strength, will be received in adequate guides in the outer member 60. The desirability of a boom of telescopic cross section is engendered by reason of the shape of the main sail and the desirability, whether the sail is reefed or non-reefed, for the free end of the boom to terminate substantially at the edge of the exposed portion of the sail. Thus with the sail fully extended as in Figure 1 or Figure 3 the boom will b e fully telescoped whereas when the sail is reefed down as in Figures 2 and 4 the inner portion '63 will be drawn out to accommodate the increased fore and aft dimension of the sail at what, in its reefed condition, will be its lower edge.

Stowage of main saz'Z.-To provide for stowage of the reefed portion of the sail, or for the whole of the sail when it is fully lowered, alternative means may be provided as shown for instance in Figures 9 to 1l. In Figures 10 and 11 the reefed portion of the sail or the sail itself is shown as rolled up on the battens themselves either within the outer member 6U of the boom or within an additional bag 64 attached to and depending below the boom member 60. During stowage of the sail, the divergent arms 40 of the battens are closed together so as to enable the battens and the rollers thereon to be compactly rolled with the sail. When used as in Figure 11 a longitudinal slot is provided in the member 60 in order to allow the sail to enter into the interior of that part but in this form the boom will have to be of the necessary maximum length without the inner telescopic member 63.

As shown in Figure 10 however the telescopic boom can be used and an entrance slot is provided between one edge of bag B4 and the member 60.

In Figure 9 the sail is wound on to an auxiliary boom 65 spaced above the main boom member E0 and the actual winding of the sail on to the battens or on to the auxiliary boom 65 can be carried out by means of end fittings fixed flexibly or telescopically to the mast itself and to the clew of the sail. These attachments however are not illustrated in detail. Beneath the boom and extending the full length thereof there is preferably provided a flexible or hinged iin 66 which can rub over the deck surface at its lower edge and which will serve to close the gap between the boom and the deck.

Control yearn- The whole of the control gear for manipulating the sail and the mast is preferably provided by several winches which, in the form illustrated are intended to be ratchet Winches but may be of any other preferred form. These Winches are provided in the following manner and to fulfil the following adjustments:

1; A winch mounted on the deck may be furnished for rotating the mast about its longitudinal axis in order that it may present its most favourable aspect to the wind.

2. Boom and mast control: This is provided by means of a ratchet winch having a worm 7i) and supported in a bracket 'H rlxed in the mast structure and meshing with a toothed quadrant 12 carried by the forward end of the boom. Thus by rotating the worm lil by means of the winch handles 13 the relative angle between the mast and the boom can be adjusted either to port or starboard.

3. Sheets: The boom is stepped down to the deck by means of a main sheet i4 and this sheet is conveniently operated by a ratchet winch not however shown in the drawings.

The mast is not necessarily operated by a winch and the control of the main sheet may be relied upon to control the combined movements of the mast and boom, these movements conforming to an enforced curvature of the sail by means of batten flexing gear.

4. Batten iiexing gear: Although this may be provided in various forms it is conveniently effected by means of the leech rope 36 which passes over the rollers 34 at the ends of all the battens. lT Ijhs leech ropeis rigidly `connected at its upper annexes? 7 end Sto-the' peak of thesa'il and'iat-fitsE lowertrend-t" is taken-'down onto Aa winch'l15I`I(Figure=6)f.soaff that a downhaul canbe effected on-leech rope'136l to anydesired extent*inorderfftoafexaihe sa` :ci battens 30 to whatever degree is desired. Thusn' a curvature ofjthefvsailv can be.` mechanically ef. fected `bythe aid ofy the winch-15;' fleechlrope and-battens-SB `so-as to produce-"a curvature best suited' to the sailing'conditions andnot, aslhith ertogvdependent entirely upon-the windlpressureim shape-ofthe sail and the :adjusted *aspect'ther-e2v of.!

By? theuseof thewormf and quadrantl'izi'f the-boom canbe swung, relatively to: themast, Ii eitherfto port or' to starboard before' the 'Hexer-15 ing of the battenswccurs' so --thathit -is :possible: to -create -a curve-or arch in the sailfioneither: hand atwill.

H dlyardae-The main 1 halyardY las :has-f alreadyA` u beenvstated, is operatedlfrom winch 54s'othatfby'w-0 tur-ningfthis Winch in one directionforfthefothev thesail can beV either hoisted'or loweredfat will?? as is necessary.

`So far the invention has been described in rela#1 tion only to the main sail but it is to'bennder'-` 25 stood' that head sails of all kinds or' a spinnaker* mayA also "be used as partof vthe completev rig :of the vessel.

In-the case of a head-sail such for exampleY as a foresail, the present Vinvention includesan' irri-l 30 provementvby means of which the tack Lof-the sail can be carriedv athwart ship beyond themidsl-ii'ps positionfeitherto port or to starboard. Frthis f purpose, and as illustrated in Figures/'1 to' 4 and@ 19 and20 lthetackof the foresailf-.is anchored to the end-of a strut 8| hinged to the mastatBZ-l? andcontroll'ed by sheets '83-in ordei'fto"positibmf the strut 8| relatively to the fore and aft centre line of-the vessels The strut may be used in the mids'hips position-'when required thus 1 position-il 40 ing the leading edge offthe'foresaillinitheeusual position.l In' order however to effect'thefoptimun'i positionof rthe foresail relativelya tof the'.-l maini' sail-and -to Vthe wind direction the'istrut-f'I/may-'f be swungtoany desired-extent'eitherfto port, asf-"f in Figure 19 or tostarboardas in Figure-120 fro'mf-l the'A midships positions In Figures rl9'l'and 2U-"4 the wind direction for which adjustmentifoffthestrut ihasbe'en made is indicated'byfarrowfll.l

The invention also includes; th'e'uselof arolle'rf or shell to which the leading edge vof the'sailf-is 1'50 attached and which is itself of streamlinesecevtion. This roller or shell is indicated inFig'ure 1^ at 5'and two alternative forms thereof are shown*H in section on enlarged scales'in Figures l`6 andll I'n the form shown in Figure 16 the -shelflf'85''55 is streamlined and is intended'\torotate;-about its longitudinal axis on a rod or the like 86,.'1 Th' foresail Sill can be reefed or completelyfrolldup by turning the shell 85 around itsfaxis and"'in'=-y Figure 16 a partial reefing of the sail is indicated.-`-Y 60 In the form shown inlFigure 1'7 the foresail-Sfenters the interior of shell 85' through 'af slot-f 81V extending throughout the wholeiorfthewmajerf f length of the shell and withintheshellfisa rolle'r-c 88 towwhich the leading edge` ofv thehforesail-'is 65 connected and ony which the sail `can beroll'edfl so as to be contained within the shellBSF- Whensailing o1"thewinda greatfincreasef# in -leeward `pressure may be obtained-bym hrolling the foresail to its maximum extent and'f'70 thereby overlapping the -mainrsaiLv Whe'nhsa-ikf' ingfon` the wind by shiftingtheitacklf o-f1the'--I foresailtoleewardand atth'esameetim'e; 'if re quired,'shiftingA the clew of the mai-nifsheetsf o f windw'ard-#a pattermof-l'sails-is presentedeintotfu to the'deckehorse or 'equivalent fitting andshi'ftedaf -athwartship-by Vappropriate gear asldesired:

Therpurposeoffls'hifting the tack is to' create-A the ycorrectfsloteiectrbetween it and themain saitv and in the case of'a large vessel itis Vpreferred to'fii use'iadeck-horse or the-like rather'thanfa strutf' or n*jlb-boom.

Wlile?"the"main sail vhip-.general outline 1re-W sembles a VB'errnudia'n sail it diie'rs vfrom this type e. in thatat -itsilower portion'the" leech of'the sai is cutaway sorthat as :it l'nears 'the deck it curves-ff f slightl-yforwardly i as--already'describedp v Th'e4` peakof the Y foresail is preferably carried byf'a-Jbracket SBfextending forwardly fromthr# mast-:andthe connection between the foresailand thefbracketfg! is on-a vertical lcentre linev pass-fing'through'the' axis ofrotationr ofthe mast tlfialt'A is tosaylpassingfthrough the axis off rotation nf"- shaft 1'27. Thus despite the curvature ofv mast 2E -thepcsiti'onof the top :of the' peak ofA the-foresail will remain unaltered as the mast is 'turned`-`I` aroundlits 1 vertical axis.

Similargear yto' `that describedlabove may beim;v associatedinl` another variant of1thepresent 'in"-= Y vention', with amast set-ina tabernacle so that -v it may be lowered to thefdeck. Infthisversion'of thekinvention,y the :boomis attached' to'a vertical revolving member of the tabernacle;preferablyA in the form of-a tube, and the'fworm gear-andf' quadrant similari to' 10,212 '-i'vill"'operate respech tivelyf'oiithe' tabernacle'tube and the boom.Vv Tlie=f .ma'stSitsel-f Will-be xedl-to the'ltube by' Ineansvof"V twolbrackets i and pins-arranged `vertically 1above; one another so that when the lowermost pinl'is removed=the1rnast will fs'wivel f on the upper one so lthat it inlay-.bei lowered witheasefto the deck# leaving the boom'in situ attached to the'tube The t operation'rof `the main' sail is generally 'as follows; Whenthe main sail"'is'furled=in fthe-f boom 60 and' it iis desired to rais'eit to its 'extended position; tl'ieiwinch 5131L is turned towind uprthe main halyard 53`which raises 'themainsailefrom its'ifurlediposition linthe/boom 60'? lis-"-the"-sail'V is raised the .batterie 30 li'ollowalong'with -it.l` Tl"frollers 42 upon the divergent arms 40 of the bate tens :are manually insertedinv the--channel 43 and'fthe quick release/catch 35 yis engaged aboutfVAI 'the-:leech 'line-36.`!` As'f each batteri rises outfoffl the Vboom member 6i] these manual operations# are'vcar-ried;l out so that when the main sailis completelyuraisedfor extended all of -the rollers 42W are'in engagement -withy the proper surfaces Yof thevf'channe'l '433i 'andlf'the quick' releasefcatches@1 are-inengagement abouty the leechline 36k WhenVJ th'sailis raised to the" desired-*position the battens'36fare bowed tothe `proper extent byftightL* eningwthefleech line 36 through theWinch 152 'When'.the-leech line is tightened lit tends-to ap-w proach a straightlin'e from the top of the mast to the'winch 'lfand'iaccordingly causes thebatvtens to fb'ow. forminga controlled arch in thev sail?" Iclaim: 1.L`Aforeeandeaftsailrig for -a marine Ves-f sel-comprising inrcombinatiom-a mast,a flexiblef'V main-saillcapable of-being arched as a wholeioverf substantially. fits' if-ull area-fa pluralityfofgresilint-Tf battez'is-ll'xdfat1 different'hei'ghts to fthefsailandiff extending from the leech to the luff thereof, each said batten being capable of flexure to bowed formation laterally of the sail over a substantial portion of its length, a leech line for controlling and maintaining arching of the sail, and guide means at the free ends of the battens adjacent the leech for receiving the leech line, said leech line and its guides being disposed in a path which is bowed towards the mast, whereby hauling on the leech line tends to straighten the leech and thereby exert a thrust along the battens for flexing them to produce arching of the sail.

2. A fore-and-aft sail rig for a marine vessel comprising in combination, a mast of aerofoil cross section, a flexible main sail capable of being arched as a whole over substantially its full area, a plurality of resilient battens fixed at different heights to the sail and extending from the leech to the luff thereof, each said batten being capable of flexure to bowed formation laterally of the sail over a substantial portion of its length, a leech line for controlling and maintaining arching of the sail, and guide means at the free ends of the battens adjacent the leech for receiving the leech line, said leech line and its guides being disposed in a path which is bowed towards the mast, whereby hauling on the leech line tends to straighten the leech and thereby exert a thrust along the battens for flexing them to produce arching of the sail.

3. A fore-and-aft sail rig for a marine vessel comprising in combination, a mast rotatably mounted about a substantially vertical axis, a flexible main sail capable of being arched as a whole over substantially its full area, a plurality of resilient battens fixed at different heights to the sail and extending from the leech to the luff thereof, each said batten being capable of flexure to bowed formation laterally of the sail over a substantial portion of its length, a leech line for controlling and maintaining arching of the sail, and guide means at the free ends of the battens adjacent the leech for receiving the leech line, said leech line and its guides being disposed in a path which is bowed towards the mast, whereby hauling on the leech line tends to straighten the leech and thereby exert a thrust along the battens for flexing them to produce arching of the sail.

4. A fore-and-aft sail rig for a marine vessel comprising in combination, a mast, a exible main sail capable of being arched as a whole over substantially its full area, flaps extending from the mast on both sides of the sail to close the gap between the mast and the luff of the sail, a plurality of resilient battens fixed at different heights to the sail and extending from the leech to the luff thereof, each said batten being capable of flexure to bowed formation laterally of the sail over a substantial portion of its length, a leech line for controlling and maintaining arching of the sail, and guide means at the free ends of the battens adjacent the leech for receiving the leech line, said leech line and its guides being disposed in a path which is bowed towards the mast, whereby hauling on the leech line tends to straighten the leech and thereby exert a thrust along the battens for exing them to produce arching of the sail.

5. A fore-and-aft sail rig for a marine vessel comprising in combination, a mast of aero-foil cross section, a fiexible main sail capable of being arched as a whole over substantially its full area, aps of resilient material extending from the mast on both sides of the sail to close the gap between the mast and the luif of the sail, the mast and naps constituting as a whole a streamlined structure, a plurality of resilient battens fixed at different heights to the sail and extending from the leech to the luff thereof, each said batten being capable of ilexure to bowed formation laterally to the sail over a substantial portion of its length, a leech line for controlling and maintaining arching of the sail, and guide means at the free ends of the battens adjacent the leech for receiving the leech line, said leech line and its guides being disposed in a path .which is bowed towards the mast, whereby hauling on the leech line tends to straighten the leech and thereby exert a thrust along the battens for flexing them to produce arching of the sails.

6. A fore-and-aft sail rig for a marine vessel comprising in combination, a mast of aero-foil cross section, a flexible main sail capable of being arched as a whole over substantially its full area, a plurality of resilient battens fixed at different heights to the sail and extending from the leech to the luff thereof, each batten being constructed at its forward end adjacent the mast with two divergent arms extending beyond the luff of the sail and carrying rollers to engage the mast and hold the forward end of the batten against lateral movement relatively to the mast, each batten being capable of i'lexure to bowed formation laterally of the sail over a substantial portion of its length, a leech line for controlling and maintaining arching of the sail, and guide means at the free ends of the battens adjacent the leech for receiving the leech line, said leech line and its guides being disposed in a path which is bowed towards the mast, whereby hauling on the leech line tends to straighten the leech and thereby exert a thrust along the battens for flexing them to produce arching of the sail.

7. A fore-and-aft sail rig for a marine vessel comprising in combination, a mast of aero-foil cross section, a flexible main sail capable of being arched as a whole over substantially its full area, a plurality of resilient battens fixed at different heights to the sail and extending from the leech to the luif thereof, each batten being constructed at its forward end adjacent the mast with two divergent arms extending beyond the luff of the sail and carrying rollers to engage the mast and hold the forward end of the batten against lateral movement relatively to the mast, the sail cloth of the sail being furnished at the forwardly directed edge with a V-fiare to accommodate and enclose the divergent arms of the battens, and each batten being capable of flexure to bowed formation laterally of the sail over a substantial portion of its length, a leech line for controlling and maintaining arching of the sail, and guide means at the free ends of the battens adjacent the leech for receiving the leech line, said leech line and its guides being disposed in a path which is bowed towards the mast, whereby hauling on the leech line tends to straighten the leech and thereby exert a thrust along the battens for exing them to produce arching of the sail.

8. A fore-and-aft sail rig for a marine Vessel comprising in combination, a mast, a flexible main sail capable of being arched as a whole over substantially its full area, a telescopic boom for the main sail, a plurality of resilient battens fixed at different heights to the sail and extending from the leech to the luif thereof, each said batten being capable of flexure to bowed formation laterally of the sail over a substantial portion of its length, a leech line for controlling and maintain- @fling-:archingof,. the -,sa,il,;and guidermeans .atnthe f-ree =;ends;;of thea ibattens adjacent thef-.leechfifor rfreceiyng thecleech line,;said ,'-leechylineandl its .sxguideswbeing gdisposedginf apath iimich;I is @bowed towardsfthefmast, whereby, hauling :onljzheleech .saline ften'dsctostraightenlftheileech zand thereby fexert azthrushalong the cbattens-zor .flexnigthem :t tozproduce :arching of; the;sail.

1f; SLQAfOre-eand-aft sailzrig for, amarine-:azessel comprising i in combination; :a mast; a aaflexible .mairrsailf capable of being' arched-.as a` wholetover 'substantially yitszffull area; tif-telescopic, yboomifor c 'e the f `maine'sail,.. a Y plurality 'of '.:resilient:` fhattens riaxedat different heights ,to the sail-andxtending :from the. leech' `r tof; the .i slurf thereof ,1 each said battenebeing capablef'ofv exure. :to :boweds forma- '-i=tionf. laterally offy the. sail'l over ,a1 substantial por- .tion:of .its length, a :leech :line-for controlling-,and .fn-maintaining,farching offzthessail, said.leeol'rz'fline thezsailandat its -lower end toa winch ona'boom or zthe `sail foreiecting a:doWn-haukorrthezleech mlinenand guide slots at the=free endsiof. the-'battens 'ff-remote 'from the mast and adjacenttthe leechfor fislidably receivings-the leech: line, saidileechline` c-andf'lits :guides'zbeing disposedfin a :path-which is :ubowedftowards the .mastwhereby haulingonrthe ieleechiiline .byr ithezpwinch f on the Yboom, :tends to `:straighten fthe; leech ,fandtherebyzexert as -.:thrust along a-.theii battens for, flexing them; to-prolduce arching offthe` sail.

1F10: lA fore-1and-afti sai1rig for lzar-marine vessel :comprising zinlicombinationf, afmast :ofV aeroffoil across#section',i au flexible Amain l'sail capable; of

:,r'beingi arched :as: a ivi/#holeover.;substantiallyv its 'rfullllarea; aftelescopicfiboonr Afor: the Asaid-.',nxain -;1-sail',f2said'boomzincorporating a :hollowportionifor being:connected.=at its upper iendY to :the speak ofi vestowage.-aofsthesrolledjup fsail', a `plura'litysof1ressilient battens fixed at different heightstofthe I -isail and :extending .from the leech -,-to f the gluff rwhereof, each saidfbatten being :capable: of -ilexure liuto.y bowedfermation:laterally of .fthe '-sail iover a Substantial portion-of itslength, a" leech line, for controlling f and. maintaining arching tof vthe isail, ,rfand=guide means at'athevfree ends of the battens f,- adjacent theleech lfor receiving the leech line, 10. flsaidfleechflinei and its guides being disposed :in a ,-.patlrwhich v isI bowed ,towardsl the Tmast, lwhereby hauling on ,ther leech line tends ,to .straighten 'the ':leech'and thereby exert a thrustalongthe battens wfor =g-fiexi ng them-Ito. produce arching of the-sail.

15 f WELLS WINTEMUTE WELLS-C'OATES.

REFERENCES ,CITED '-"The ifollowingreferences are yof Arecord A`inthe f-'fle of :this `:patent:

2o UNITED STATES PATENTS i Number f Name .Date

235,868 Gondie ,D.ec.,28, .1880 239,905 Wilson Apr. 5, ,-1881 25 507,052 Voss Oct. .17, 1893 :,.,639,916 vAchterberg Dec. 26,4899 1,613,890 -IIerresho` Jan. v1l, 1927 1,700,660 ,Williams .J an.. 29, 1929 72,077,685 Gerhardt Apr. x20, 1937 30 2,107,303 y `Ljungstrorn Feb. 8,1938 2,484,687 Carl Oct. k11, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS .Number .Country Date 19,279 Gfreaty Britain -1908 k293,226 Germany July, 22,1916 ...611,838 France July 19, ,1926 

